Inventors say the meal, called Hot-Can, is an easy alternative to the traditional roast turkey and that it cooks itself in just 12 minutes.

And at a recession-busting £5.99 a tin, it means Christmas dinner for five can be served up for less than £30.

The feast contains turkey meat with all the trimmings – veg, chipolatas, stuffing balls and cranberry jelly. The tin of food is surrounded by an outer can, with a water sachet and limestone in between.

Piercing the tin breaks the sachet,causing the water to react with the limestone, which heats the food.

Website Firebox.com is selling Hot-Can for the first time this year, and says it will revolutionise Xmas.

A spokesman said: “Christmas Dinner will never be the same again. There’s no need for ovens – just sit down, crack open the HotCan and enjoy Christmas turkey with all the extras.

“And there is no need for washing up as it can be eaten straight from the can, freeing up more time to sit back and enjoy a good old James Bond film.

“You won’t be awarded any Michelin stars, but it’s certainly up there with your respectable ready meals.

“Plus, your Christmas Dinner Hot-Can is nutritionally balanced, so as well as satisfying all your Christmas cravings, you’ll stay trim.”